French giants Clermont have reportedly cooled their interest in signing two big-name Springboks due to concerns over their availability during the test window.

According to French newspaper Midi Olympique, Clermont had made Sharks duo Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi top targets and aimed to sign the backs after the 2023 World Cup.

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This came as the Top 14 club is set to lose star France international Damian Penaud at the end of the season to Top 14 rivals Bordeaux.

Clermont are not the first French team to be concerned over the limited availability of Springboks during the test window.

Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre publicly labelled Eben Etzebeth a ‘handicap’ to the club, after the Springbok lock returned from international duty in November 2021 with a concussion that forced him to be stood down from action for three months.

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Ultimately, Etzebeth sealed a return to South Africa with the Sharks and has since gone on to earn a nomination for the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year award.